Single mothers brunch provides 'living' advice

 

Connie McCracklin, founder and CEO of S.C.R.A.M. (Stop Child Rape and
Molestation), urged mothers to get involved in their children's lives and to make
themselves available for them. (Photos: Wiley Henry)

   

     Wanda Taylor urged several dozen women attending a single mothers brunch Saturday morning (March 12) at Libertas School of Memphis to know their worth, expect the best and not settle for anything less.

“So many of us live our lives based on how we feel about ourselves and what someone thinks about us,” said Taylor, president/CEO of Ladies in Need Can Survive, Inc., a non-profit organization that transitions troubled women back into society.

Taylor was one of five community activists whose topics were specifically tailored for single mothers in need of information, opportunities and positive re-enforcement to survive in today’s society.

She talked about healthy versus unhealthy relationships and cited her troubled past as an example of misdirection and misguidance before turning her life over to God. She wanted the mothers to know that their lives, too, can be restored. 

Wanda Taylor, president/CEO of Ladies in Need Can
Survive, Inc., points heavenward to let attendees at the single
mothers brunch know that they are "a child of the King."

“You are a child of the King. You are His friend. You are loved, destined for greatness, and created with a purpose,” she said.

Sharon Fields, who raised three sons without their father, organized the brunch to kick off Mothers of Motivation (MOM), which she conceived as an outreach of Libertas. “It’s part of the school’s family enrichment piece,” she said.

Libertas is a non-profit Montessori school that was organized in 2015 by Bob Nardo, an educator who was born in New York and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. He is head of school, the equivalent of school principal.

Fields is the office manager and parent coordinator. Her passion for outreach prompted a move to form a support group for women whose experiences are similar to her own.

“I know what single mothers go through. They often don’t have support. It can be hectic and stressful,” said Fields, who found role models for her sons after she joined The Pursuit of God Transformation Center, a thriving church led by Apostle Ricky Floyd in the Frayser community.

“Apostle (Floyd) mentored my youngest son from the time he was seven to about 11,” she said. “He spent time over to the Floyd’s house. He’s like part of their family. And my other two sons were mentored by other men in the church.”

Although the brunch was set up for single mothers and facilitated by women, Floyd pitched in and offered a few points from a handout entitled “Discovering The Gold Within by Walking Your Goals Out.” He also used Scriptures to back his points up.

“You are what you think, feel say and do,” he began. “If I think it, I will feel it. If I feel it, I will say it. If I say it, my actions will correspond.”

Citing Romans 7:15 (NAS), he said: “For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.”

Connie McCracklin focused on the children. Her topic, “Protecting Your Children Through Open Communication,” drew inquiry from several mothers.

“Most people are victimized by people they know. Check in on them (children). Make some noise. We got to get in their business. That’s another way to protect our children,” said McCracklin, founder and CEO of S.C.R.A.M. (Stop Child Rape and Molestation), a non-profit organization.

 “The best way to educate your child is to open up communications,” said McCracklin, who is raising five boys with her husband, Sylvester. “If you develop communications between you and your child, they won’t be afraid to talk to you about their body parts and when somebody is violating them.”

One mother sought answers to a problem she’s struggled with regarding her teenage daughter, who would withdraw when the subject of sex was brought up for discussion. She wanted to know how to break through her daughter’s wall of silence.

McCracklin urged her to try an alternative approach. Other mothers in the audience chimed in as well and offered varied suggestions – such as conferring with a school counselor.

Budgeting is just as important, said Maria L. Davis, particularly when household income is insufficient. She followed with a discussion to help mothers create a basic, personal budget plan to help them manage debt.

A confessed shopper, Davis advised mothers to resist the urge to over-shop, to restore their credit rating, keep good records, be frugal, if necessary, and don’t cosign for anyone.

“If you cosign, you’re responsible,” said Davis, a training professional at International Paper.